Method and apparatus of acquiring information regarding applications for display on a user interface

ABSTRACT

An approach is provided for acquiring information regarding installed applications on a user equipment. A request for information is received regarding one or more applications installed on user equipment in a category of applications. The request includes a respective unique identifier for the one or more applications. And, a transmission of the information is initiated including an icon corresponding to the one or more applications compiled using the respective unique identifier for the one or more applications

BACKGROUND

Wireless (e.g., cellular) service providers and device manufacturers arecontinually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by,for example, providing compelling network services, applications, andcontent, as well as user-friendly devices. An important differentiatorin this industry is the user interface. In particular, user interfacesthat can provide information for display regarding installedapplications on mobile devices.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request forinformation regarding one or more applications installed on a userequipment in a category of applications, wherein the request includes arespective unique identifier for the one or more applications, andinitiating transmission of the information including an iconcorresponding to the one or more applications compiled using therespective unique identifier for the one or more applications.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least oneprocessor, and at least one memory including computer program code, theat least one memory and the computer program code configured to, withthe at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least thefollowing: receive a request for information regarding one or moreapplications installed on a user equipment in a category ofapplications, wherein the request includes a respective uniqueidentifier for the one or more applications; and initiate transmissionof the information including an icon corresponding to the one or moreapplications compiled using the respective unique identifier for the oneor more applications.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means forreceiving a request for information regarding one or more applicationsinstalled on a user equipment in a category of applications, wherein therequest includes a respective unique identifier for the one or moreapplications, and means for initiating transmission of the informationincluding an icon corresponding to the one or more applications compiledusing the respective unique identifier for the one or more applications.

According to another embodiment, a method comprises initiatingtransmission of a request for information regarding one or moreapplications installed on a user equipment in a category ofapplications, wherein the request includes a respective uniqueidentifier for the one or more applications, and receiving theinformation including an icon corresponding to the one or moreapplications compiled using the respective unique identifier for the oneor more applications.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least oneprocessor, and at least one memory including computer program code, theat least one memory and the computer program code configured to, withthe at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least thefollowing: initiate transmission of a request for information regardingone or more applications installed on a user equipment in a category ofapplications, wherein the request includes a respective uniqueidentifier for the one or more applications; and receive the informationincluding an icon corresponding to the one or more applications compiledusing the respective unique identifier for the one or more applications.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means forinitiating transmission of a request for information regarding one ormore applications installed on a user equipment in a category ofapplications, wherein the request includes a respective uniqueidentifier for the one or more applications, and means for receiving theinformation including an icon corresponding to the one or moreapplications compiled using the respective unique identifier for the oneor more applications.

Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention arereadily apparent from the following detailed description, simply byillustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations,including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Theinvention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and itsseveral details can be modified in various obvious respects, all withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, thedrawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature,and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, andnot by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a communication system capable of providinginformation regarding applications that are installed on user equipment,according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of components of a service platform configured toprovide information regarding applications that are installed on userequipment, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a mobile device having a display that can present a userinterface showing information regarding applications that are installedon the mobile device, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a user interface showing information regardingapplications that are installed on user equipment, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a process for requesting, receiving, andpresenting information regarding applications that are installed on userequipment, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a flowchart of a process for receiving a request forinformation regarding matched unique identifiers and initiatingtransmission of the information, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a flowchart of a process for requesting, receiving, andpresenting information regarding applications that are installed on userequipment, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a flowchart of a process for compiling and initiatingtransmission of information regarding applications that are installed onuser equipment, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to implement anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement anembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a mobile station (e.g., handset) that can be usedto implement an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

A method and apparatus for acquiring information regarding installedapplications on user equipment are disclosed. In the followingdescription, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific detailsare set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of theembodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled inthe art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a communication system 100 capable of providinginformation regarding installed applications on user equipment,according to an example embodiment. In certain embodiments, informationregarding installed application on user equipment can be provided to theuser equipment and a user can be presented with a graphical userinterface (GUI) that provides the user with the ability to access theapplications and/or information regarding the applications. As shown inFIG. 1, system 100 comprises one or more registered users or member userequipment (UEs), e.g., UEs 101A, 101B, . . . , 101N, within a serviceprovider membership 103 and having connectivity to communication network105, which is connected to a service application or platform 107. TheUEs 101A-101N are generally described herein as mobile devices; howeverthe UEs 101A-101N could by any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal,or portable terminal including mobile handsets, mobile phones, mobilecommunication devices, stations, units, devices, multimedia tablets,digital book readers, game devices, audio/video players, digitalcameras/camcorders, positioning device, televisions, radio broadcastingreceivers, Internet nodes, communicators, desktop computers, laptopcomputers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), or any combinationthereof. The UEs 101 can employs a radio link to access network 105, orconnectivity of the UEs 101 to the network 105 can be provided over awired link. It is also contemplated that the UEs 101A-101N can supportany type of interface to the user (such as “wearable” circuitry, etc.).

In example embodiments, the UEs 101A-101N each includes a user interfaceapplication 109A, 109B, . . . , 109N for providing a user interface foruse by members of the service provider membership 103 to allow thevarious UEs 101A-101N to display information regarding the installedapplications and allow a user to access and/or run the application. Theuser interface applications 109A-109N also facilitate the acquisition ofthe information regarding the installed applications from the serviceplatform 107. Additionally, the UEs 101A-101N each includes a database111A, 111B, . . . , 111N that store the applications installed on therespective UE and/or information, such as a unique identifier of theinstalled application, that can be used to compile a list of installedapplications with unique identifiers thereof in order to acquireinformation regarding such applications from the service platform 107.

FIG. 1 also includes a third party server 113 that is in communicationwith the communication network 105. The third party server 113 can be,for example, in contact with the service platform 107 in order for theservice platform 107 to obtain information regarding the installedapplications, and/or in contact with the UEs 101A-101N in order for theUEs 101A-101N to obtain application for installation and use thereon.

By way of example, the communication network 105 of system 100 includesone or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wirelessnetwork (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), or any combinationthereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local areanetwork (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN),a public data network (e.g., the Internet), or any other suitablepacket-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietarypacket-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-opticnetwork. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, acellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanceddata rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service(GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocolmultimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system(UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g.,microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, codedivision multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access(WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, mobile ad-hoc network(MANET), and the like.

By way of example, the UEs 101A-101N communicate with the serviceplatform 107 over the communication network 105 using standardprotocols. The UEs 101A-101N and the service platform 107 are networknodes with respect to the communication network 105. In this context, aprotocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes withinthe communication network 105 interact with each other based oninformation sent over the communication links. For instance, members ofthe service provider membership 103 may communicate using a networkingprotocol. The protocols are effective at different layers of operationwithin each node, from generating and receiving physical signals ofvarious types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, tothe format of information indicated by those signals, to identifyingwhich software application executing on a computer system sends orreceives the information. The conceptually different layers of protocolsfor exchanging information over a network are described in the OpenSystems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.

Communications between the network nodes are typically effected byexchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1)header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2)payload information that follows the header information and containsinformation that may be processed independently of that particularprotocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer informationfollowing the payload and indicating the end of the payload information.The header includes information such as the source of the packet, itsdestination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by theprotocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocolincludes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with adifferent, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for aparticular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocolcontained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to beencapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in apacket traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet,typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2)header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4)header, and various application headers (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7)as defined by the OSI Reference Model.

According to certain embodiments, system 100 can be advantageouslyutilized in various situations to provide information, such as icons, touser equipment for applications that are installed locally to the userequipment. Normally, such icons are packaged with the application itselfand are installed and displayed by the operating system (OS) of the userequipment; however, it has been determined that there are severaldisadvantages to relying upon and utilizing such pre-packaged icons.Thus, the system can be advantageously utilized to remotely acquirecustomized icons from a web server, such the service platform, forapplications installed on a user device and make the icons and any otherdesired information regarding the installed applications in a customizedapplication user interface or application viewer. For example, thesystem could be used to provide a viewer or browser on the user devicefor all applications or category of applications on the user device,which can be used by the user to access the applications or category ofapplications. The viewer (user interface) can be provided for anyvariety of categories of applications, for example, game files,financial applications, news applications, weather applications, webbrowser applications, or any executable file/application. In otherembodiments, media files, such as music and video, can employ theviewer. The viewer can be provided with an icon and/or any otherinformation that the service platform provides thereto, such as, titleinformation, description, ratings, reviews, updating or purchasinginformation, etc. For example, the system could be used to provide aviewer or browser on the user device for all applications or category ofapplications on the user device, which can be used by the user to accessthe applications or category of applications. According to otherembodiments, the viewer or browser may be used to provide information,e.g., icons, about applications that are not installed to the userdevice, but which could be used/installed in the user device.

In an example embodiment, the system could be used to provide a gameviewer or browser on the user device for all games on the user device,which can be used by the user to access the games. If a user device wereto rely upon and utilize pre-packaged icons, then the size and nature oficons that are packaged with the application and installed by the OS aredisadvantageously defined by the OS. Furthermore, if a browser were torely upon the use of such pre-packaged icons, and if a game wereinstalled on the device and did not include such a pre-packaged icon ordid not conform to the OS requirements, then that game would not bepresent in the OS browser and would not be accessible via the OSbrowser. Accordingly, in a game viewer or browser according to anexample embodiment herein, the game viewer or browser can advantageouslydisplay custom icons, rather than only icons conforming with OSrequirements, and the size and shape of such custom icons can bedifferent from those required by the OS. Such custom icons can beobtained from the service platform and displayed in the game viewer.

In an example embodiment, a game viewer is used to display custom iconsfor all games as installed to the device by the device OS. The icons areretrieved from a server, such as service platform 107. Thus, forexample, such a viewer could be capable of automatically displaying in asingle place, using custom icons, all games installed to the device,regardless of whether the games are native to the device, or third partygames. Note also that the applications or games that actually appearwithin the viewer can be controlled from the service platform, since theservice platform can determine which games will have an icon assignedthereto. For example, the service provider may want to restrict displayto only those games that are considered to be of a certain high quality.Also, the service platform can be used to control the visual aspects ofthe items shown in the viewer (e.g., the design/size/shape/etc. of theicon and any other information provided therewith, such as the title,description, ratings, reviews, available upgrades, advertising etc.).

In an example embodiment, a user interface application, such as a customgame viewer, queries the native OS of the user device for all installedapplications, for example, from a storage database thereon. The userinterface application will retrieve a list of unique identifiers for theinstalled applications. For example, the unique identifiers could beUIDs (unique identifiers), or a list of application names and versions(e.g., for UNIX OS applications), etc. At this point, the game viewerneed not know which application is a game and which is not. Then, thecustom game viewer queries a backend server, such as service platform107, which returns a list of all known games by the service to themobile device. The game viewer then generates another list which is theintersection of the list of unique identifiers of applications on themobile device and the list of all known games. Thus, at this point, thegame viewer can determine a list of all installed applications which areknown to be of a particular category (e.g., games, etc.) based on theinformation sent from the backend server. The game viewer then queriesthe backend server and iteratively retrieves custom game icons for eachidentified game in the intersection list above. Also, it is contemplatedthat a batch process can be employed.

According to an embodiment, the game viewer can be provided as a webapplication (or a “widget”). The icons displayed on the game viewerrepresent actual games that are natively installed to the device.However, the icons are not necessarily provided with the game and arenot installed when the game is initially installed, but rather the iconsare fetched from a backend.

A motivation for such an embodiment is a desire to make all (or aselected set of) games on a mobile device appear in a game viewer, nomatter what those games are, or where the games are installed to in thedevice, or whether the games were initially provided with an icon.Accordingly, such a motivation can be satisfied by a web based solutionthat provides that content to be displayed in such a viewer can comefrom a backend service run e.g. by a service provider or third party. Aclear advantage of such a system is the flexibility associated with useof online information used to control how and what games are viewablewithin a game viewer application. For example, at any time the icon foran existing installed game could be changed to indicate an update or agame add-on for the game that is now available, and optionally thechanged icon could allow access to the update or add-on. The icons arenot necessarily provided with the game and are not installed when thegame is actually installed, but rather they are fetched from a backend.Accordingly, this approach advantageously provides a game viewer thatcan show icons for games, irrespective of how such games were packaged,or what platform they were designed to operate on.

While it is expected that online connectivity is becoming more and morethe norm, the fact that online connectivity is preferred at leastinitially in order to make installed games visible might sometimes beregarded as a disadvantage. This can be mitigated, e.g., by the factthat the game icons can be cached for offline use and/or by embedding aninitial cache during factory provisioning of the user equipment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of components of a service platform 107 configuredto provide information regarding applications that are installed on userequipment, according to an example embodiment. The service platform 107includes a management module 201, a user database 203, a listcompilation module 205, an application unique identifier database 207,and an informational/promotional module 209. The management module 201,in conjunction with the user database 203, manages any incoming requestsin order to determine whether the request is from a valid user of thesystem, and to manage any billing data that is generated by such arequest or usage of the system by the user. The management module 201can authenticate the device sending the request and determine the user'sauthorization to access the service platform 107.

Once the request is validated, then the list compilation module 205 cananalyze any incoming requests from user equipment requesting, forexample, unique identifiers for known applications, informationregarding matched unique identifiers, or information regarding one ormore installed applications, as will be discussed in greater detail withrespect to the embodiments in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B. The listcompilation module 205 can access the application unique identifierdatabase 207 and the informational/promotional module 209 to compile thedesired lists of information in response to the request(s) from the userequipment. Once the desired list of information is compiled by themodule 205, the list compilation module 205 can send the information tothe user equipment via network 105 or via some other means (e.g., bymailing a storage medium storing such application, etc.).

FIG. 3 is an example embodiment of user equipment in the form of amobile device 300 having a display 301 that can present a user interfaceshowing information regarding applications that are installed on themobile device, according to one embodiment. A user can utilize thevarious selection buttons beneath the display 301 in order to interactwith the user interface. Alternatively, or in addition to the use of theselection buttons, the display 301 can be a touchscreen that can allow auser to interact with the user interface by contacting the display.These are just examples, and various alternatives for presenting a userinterface and interacting with one are known in the art including, butnot limiting to, additional input and output arrangements such asadditional keyboard, gesture-based input means and projection display.The embodiments of the invention are not restricted by the presentationarrangements of the user interface and could be applied in various waysby a person of ordinary skill in the art to presentation arrangementsunknown at the time of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a user interface 400 showing informationregarding applications that are installed on user equipment, accordingto one embodiment. The screenshot 400 shows an example game viewer,which includes a plurality of different icons 401 (shown genericallyhere as an “X” for simplicity). The icons 401 can include a graphicdepiction of the game, game title, characters, etc. The user can scrollthrough the various icons 401, for example, using the selections buttonsof the user equipment or using touchscreen features. The icons 401 canalso include, or an area beneath the icons can be provided, thatdisplays other information regarding the game, such as game titles,reviews, rankings, descriptions, availability of upgrades/updates,advertising etc.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the user interface 400 includes anarea 403 that can include information regarding new releases (e.g.,newly launched games that can be purchased and/or downloaded from theservice provider) and a link (e.g., the arrow button icon shown in area403) that can take the user interface to an online store listing suchnew release(s). Additionally, the embodiment of the user interface 400shown in FIG. 4 also includes an area 405 that includes various controlbuttons icons that can be activated by the user to toggle betweendifferent display layouts for the game icons, link the user interface toan online shopping cart of the user, link the user to an online store orcommunity, to access an options menu, and to exit the user interface.Various different links and menus can be provided to allow the user toselect preferences for the display, enhance the aesthetics of display,enhance the usage/usefulness of the display, etc. The screenshot shownin FIG. 4 is merely illustrative, and any number or variety of differentdisplay layouts and buttons can be defined.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a process 500 for requesting, receiving, andpresenting information regarding applications that are installed on userequipment, according to one embodiment.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5A, a user interface application on userequipment determines unique identifiers for all installed applicationson the user equipment in step 501. For example, a custom game viewer canquery the native OS of a mobile device for all installed applications,for example, from a storage database thereon. Thus, the game viewer willretrieve a list of unique identifiers for the installed applications.Then, in step 503, the user interface application requests informationregarding unique identifiers for all known applications of a particularcategory of application from a service provider service platform, suchas service platform 107. In step 505, the user interface applicationreceives information regarding unique identifiers for known applicationsof the category of application. For example, the example game viewerqueries a backend server of a service provider, which returns a list ofall known games to the mobile device.

In step 507, the user interface application compares the uniqueidentifiers for the installed applications with the unique identifiersfor all known applications of the category of applications received fromthe service platform to match the installed applications with knownapplications. Thus, in the game viewer example, the game viewer comparesthe list of unique identifiers of all installed applications to the listof unique identifiers of all known games, and generates another listwhich is the intersection of the two lists. Thus, at this point, thegame viewer can determine a list of all installed applications which areknown to be of a particular category (i.e., games) based on theinformation sent from the backend server.

Then, in step 509, the user interface application initiates atransmission to the service platform to request information regardingthe matched unique identifiers found during the comparison in step 507,and in step 511 the user interface application receives information(e.g., icons, title, description, reviews, rankings, upgrade/updateinformation, offers, advertising etc.) for the matched uniqueidentifiers. For example, the game viewer queries the backend serverusing the intersection list described above and iteratively retrievescustom game icons for each identified game in the intersection list. Instep 513, the user interface application presents the informationincluding the icon(s) for the installed application(s) in a userinterface, for example, in the manner depicted in FIG. 4.

It is noted that each of the steps in FIG. 5A can be performed by theuser equipment, or, alternatively, one or more of the steps can beperformed by another device for applications installed on the userequipment. For example, one or more of the steps could be performed byanother device, such as a personal computer, that is in communicationwith the user equipment. In one such embodiment, a user views on thepersonal computer the games that are installed on the user equipment(e.g., a mobile). The user equipment could be connected to the personalcomputer to enable transmission of data between the personal computeruser interface and the user equipment. Then, the user interfaceapplication could be on the personal computer, or it could be on theuser equipment and controlled through the personal computer. This can beused, for example, in a situation where the user wants to manage theuser equipment via a personal computer user interface. Thus, thepersonal computer can perform, for example, steps 501-511 incommunication with both the user equipment and the service providerservice platform, and then transmit the resulting information to theuser equipment, which then presents the information in a user interfaceon the user equipment in step 513, for example, in the manner depictedin FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart of a process 520 for receiving a request forinformation regarding matched unique identifiers and initiatingtransmission of the information, according to one embodiment.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5B, the service platform receives a requestfor information regarding unique identifiers for all known applicationsof a particular category of application in step 521. Thus, for example,the list compilation module 205 can access the application uniqueidentifier database 207 to obtain a list of such information, which canbe maintained and updated by the service provider. Then, in step 523,the service platform initiates transmission of information regardingunique identifiers for all known applications of the particular categoryof applications to the user interface application on the user equipmentthat sent the request.

Then, in step 525, the service platform receives a request forinformation regarding applications that correspond to a list of matchedunique identifiers. Thus, for example, the list compilation module 205can access the application unique identifier database 207 and/or theinformational/promotional module 209 to obtain information (e.g., icons,title, description, reviews, rankings, upgrade/update information,offers, advertising etc.) for the matched unique identifiers thatcorrespond to a particular application. Then, in step 527, the serviceplatform initiates transmission of information including an icon for thematched unique identifiers to the user interface application on the userequipment that sent the request.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart of a process 600 for requesting, receiving, andpresenting information regarding applications that are installed on userequipment, according to another embodiment.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6A, a user interface application on userequipment determines unique identifiers for installed applications onthe user equipment in step 601. Then, in step 603, the user interfaceapplication initiates transmission of the unique identifiers to requestinformation regarding a category (or subset) of application for one ormore of the installed applications from a service provider serviceplatform, such as service platform 107. In step 605, the user interfaceapplication receives information regarding the one or more installedapplication(s) in the application category. And, in step 607, the userinterface application presents the information including the icon(s) forthe one or more installed application(s) in the application category,for example, in the manner depicted in FIG. 4. Thus, in the request instep 603, a particular subset or category of applications can beidentified as being the target of the request, and therefore the serviceplatform can determine which of the installed applications fall withinthe subset or category, and thereby send information including an iconto the user equipment for the applications that fall within the subsetor category.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart of a process 610 for compiling and initiatingtransmission of information regarding applications that are installed onuser equipment, according to another embodiment.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6B, the service platform receives uniqueidentifiers for all applications installed on the user equipment and arequest for information regarding a category of applications in step611. Then, in step 613, the service platform compiles informationincluding an icon, etc. regarding one or more installed applications inthe application category based on the unique identifiers. Then, in step615, the service platform initiates transmission of informationincluding an icon for the one or more installed applications in theapplication category to the user interface application on the userequipment that sent the request.

In the example embodiments, the service platform can store dataregarding the installed applications and/or matched applications on aparticular user equipment, and can therefore transmit periodic updateinformation to the user equipment regarding the installed applicationsand/or matched applications on the user equipment. Thus, the serviceplatform can update or modify a particular icon for an application, orany of the other information regarding the application that waspreviously transmitted to the user equipment, such as the reviews,rankings, descriptions, available update/upgrade information, etc.

FIGS. 6A and 6B set forth alternative embodiments of processes ofcommunication between the service platform and the user equipment. Theamount of data being transmitted in the processes of FIGS. 5A and 5Bdiffers from the amount of data being transmitted in the processes ofFIGS. 6A and 6B. Thus, whether one of the processes is used or the other(or some combination or variation thereof within the scope of thedisclosure set forth herein) can depend upon the communication systemutilized, the user equipment specifications, the network load, thedesired information database updating/management configurations, etc.Also, it is noted that embodiment in FIGS. 5A and 5B might be consideredto advantageously minimize privacy concerns, since only the matchedunique identifiers are used to request information, and not uniqueidentifiers for all installed application on the user equipment.Furthermore, it is noted that the various embodiments advantageouslyprovides the user equipment with the ability to determine theapplication type/category for certain installed applications based onthe received information for applications in the category.

It is noted that the determining of the category of installedapplications can be performed in various configurations (e.g., by the UEor the server side), and with various combinations of embodiments. TheUE can, for example, request a list of UIDs for all known applicationsin a category, and compare that list to the installed applications ofthe UE. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the UE can, for example,send a list of UIDs for all installed applications of the UE to theserver with a request for information, wherein the information receivedby the UE can then comprise the category and corresponding icon for aninstalled application, for example. Alternatively, or in additionthereto, that request could also comprise an indication of a particularcategory of applications, and the information would be requested for allknown applications only in that particular category.

Furthermore, it is noted that the icon(s) are not necessarilytransmitted with the category information, but the icon(s) can betransmitted with the category information in example embodiments.

The processes described herein for providing information regardinginstalled applications on user equipment may be implemented viasoftware, hardware, e.g., general processor, Digital Signal Processing(DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc., firmware or a combinationthereof. Such example hardware for performing the described functions isdetailed below.

FIG. 7 illustrates a computer system 700 upon which an embodiment of theinvention may be implemented. Computer system 700 is programmed toprovide information regarding installed applications on user equipmentas described herein and includes a communication mechanism such as a bus710 for passing information between other internal and externalcomponents of the computer system 700. Information (also called data) isrepresented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, forexample electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, suchphenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological,molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example,north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electricvoltage, represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Otherphenomena can represent digits of a higher base. A superposition ofmultiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents aquantum bit (qubit). A sequence of one or more digits constitutesdigital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character.In some embodiments, information called analog data is represented by anear continuum of measurable values within a particular range.

A bus 710 includes one or more parallel conductors of information sothat information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus710. One or more processors 702 for processing information are coupledwith the bus 710.

A processor 702 performs a set of operations on information as specifiedby computer program code related to information regarding installedapplications on user equipment. The set of operations include bringinginformation in from the bus 710 and placing information on the bus 710.The set of operations also include, for example, comparing two or moreunits of information, shifting positions of units of information, andcombining two or more units of information, such as by addition ormultiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), andAND. Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed bythe processor is represented to the processor by information calledinstructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. Asequence of operations to be executed by the processor 702, such as asequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, alsocalled computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions.Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic,optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or incombination.

Computer system 700 also includes a memory 704 coupled to bus 710. Thememory 704, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamicstorage device, stores information including processor instructions foracquiring information regarding installed applications on userequipment. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to bechanged by the computer system 700. RAM allows a unit of informationstored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrievedindependently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory 704 isalso used by the processor 702 to store temporary values duringexecution of processor instructions. The computer system 700 alsoincludes a read only memory (ROM) 706 or other static storage devicecoupled to the bus 710 for storing static information, includinginstructions, that is not changed by the computer system 700. Somememory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information storedthereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus 710 is a non-volatile(persistent) storage device 708, such as a magnetic disk, optical diskor flash card, for storing information, including instructions, thatpersists even when the computer system 700 is turned off or otherwiseloses power.

Information, including instructions for acquiring information regardinginstalled applications on user equipment, is provided to the bus 710 foruse by the processor from an external input device 712, such as akeyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or asensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms thosedetections into physical expression compatible with the measurablephenomenon used to represent information in computer system 700. Otherexternal devices coupled to bus 710, used primarily for interacting withhumans, include a display device 714, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT)or a liquid crystal display (LCD), or plasma screen or printer forpresenting text or images, and a pointing device 716, such as a mouse ora trackball or cursor direction keys, or motion sensor, for controllinga position of a small cursor image presented on the display 714 andissuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on thedisplay 714. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in whichthe computer system 700 performs all functions automatically withouthuman input, one or more of external input device 712, display device714 and pointing device 716 is omitted.

In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 720, is coupled to bus710. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operationsnot performed by processor 702 quickly enough for special purposes.Examples of application specific ICs include graphics accelerator cardsfor generating images for display 714, cryptographic boards forencrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speechrecognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as roboticarms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complexsequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented inhardware.

Computer system 700 also includes one or more instances of acommunications interface 770 coupled to bus 710. Communication interface770 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety ofexternal devices that operate with their own processors, such asprinters, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with anetwork link 778 that is connected to a local network 780 to which avariety of external devices with their own processors are connected. Forexample, communication interface 770 may be a parallel port or a serialport or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. Insome embodiments, communications interface 770 is an integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or atelephone modem that provides an information communication connection toa corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, acommunication interface 770 is a cable modem that converts signals onbus 710 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cableor into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiberoptic cable. As another example, communications interface 770 may be alocal area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connectionto a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also beimplemented. For wireless links, the communications interface 770 sendsor receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic orelectromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, thatcarry information streams, such as digital data. For example, inwireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones,the communications interface 770 includes a radio band electromagnetictransmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certainembodiments, the communications interface 770 enables connection to thecommunication network 105 for acquiring information regarding installedapplications on user equipment.

The term computer-readable medium is used herein to refer to any mediumthat participates in providing information to processor 702, includinginstructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms,including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media andtransmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical ormagnetic disks, such as storage device 708. Volatile media include, forexample, dynamic memory 704. Transmission media include, for example,coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves thattravel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves andelectromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves.Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency,phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through thetransmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, forexample, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, anyother magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium,punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical mediumwith patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, aPROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, acarrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both ofprocessor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and specialpurpose hardware, such as ASIC 720.

Network link 778 typically provides information communication usingtransmission media through one or more networks to other devices thatuse or process the information. For example, network link 778 mayprovide a connection through local network 780 to a host computer 782 orto equipment 784 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISPequipment 784 in turn provides data communication services through thepublic, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networksnow commonly referred to as the Internet 790. A computer called a serverhost 792 connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides aservice in response to information received over the Internet. Forexample, server host 792 hosts a process that provides informationrepresenting video data for presentation at display 714.

At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use ofcomputer system 700 for implementing some or all of the techniquesdescribed herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, thosetechniques are performed by computer system 700 in response to processor702 executing one or more sequences of one or more processorinstructions contained in memory 704. Such instructions, also calledcomputer instructions, software and program code, may be read intomemory 704 from another computer-readable medium such as storage device708 or network link 778. Execution of the sequences of instructionscontained in memory 704 causes processor 702 to perform one or more ofthe method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware,such as ASIC 720, may be used in place of or in combination withsoftware to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the inventionare not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software,unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

The signals transmitted over network link 778 and other networks throughcommunications interface 770, carry information to and from computersystem 700. Computer system 700 can send and receive information,including program code, through the networks 780, 790 among others,through network link 778 and communications interface 770. In an exampleusing the Internet 790, a server host 792 transmits program code for aparticular application, requested by a message sent from computer 700,through Internet 790, ISP equipment 784, local network 780 andcommunications interface 770. The received code may be executed byprocessor 702 as it is received, or may be stored in memory 704 or instorage device 708 or other non-volatile storage for later execution, orboth. In this manner, computer system 700 may obtain application programcode in the form of signals on a carrier wave.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor 702 forexecution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carriedon a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host 782. The remotecomputer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory andsends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. Amodem local to the computer system 700 receives the instructions anddata on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convertthe instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier waveserving as the network link 778. An infrared detector serving ascommunications interface 770 receives the instructions and data carriedin the infrared signal and places information representing theinstructions and data onto bus 710. Bus 710 carries the information tomemory 704 from which processor 702 retrieves and executes theinstructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. Theinstructions and data received in memory 704 may optionally be stored onstorage device 708, either before or after execution by the processor702.

FIG. 8 illustrates a chip set 800 upon which an embodiment of theinvention may be implemented. Chip set 800 is programmed to associateapplications as described herein and includes, for instance, theprocessor and memory components described with respect to FIG. 8incorporated in one or more physical packages. By way of example, aphysical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials,components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) toprovide one or more characteristics such as physical strength,conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction.

In one embodiment, the chip set 800 includes a communication mechanismsuch as a bus 801 for passing information among the components of thechip set 800. A processor 803 has connectivity to the bus 801 to executeinstructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory805. The processor 803 may include one or more processing cores witheach core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processorenables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of amulti-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers ofprocessing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor 803 mayinclude one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 801to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, andmultithreading. The processor 803 may also be accompanied with one ormore specialized components to perform certain processing functions andtasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 807, or one ormore application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 809. A DSP 807typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) inreal time independently of the processor 803. Similarly, an ASIC 809 canbe configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed bya general purposed processor. Other specialized components to aid inperforming the functions described herein include one or more fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or more controllers(not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

The processor 803 and accompanying components have connectivity to thememory 805 via the bus 801. The memory 805 includes both dynamic memory(e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and staticmemory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructionsthat when executed perform the processes described herein to retrieveinformation regarding installed applications on user equipment. Thememory 805 also stores the data associated with or generated by theexecution of the described processes.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of example components of a mobile station (e.g.,handset) capable of operating in the system of FIG. 1, according to oneembodiment. Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in terms offront-end and back-end characteristics. The front-end of the receiverencompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas theback-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry. Typicalinternal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU)903, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 905, and a receiver/transmitterunit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain controlunit. A main display unit 907 provides a display to the user in supportof various applications and mobile station functions, such as widgets.An audio function circuitry 909 includes a microphone 911 and microphoneamplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone911. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone 911 is fedto a coder/decoder (CODEC) 913.

A radio section 915 amplifies power and converts frequency in order tocommunicate with a base station, which is included in a mobilecommunication system, via antenna 917. The power amplifier (PA) 919 andthe transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to theMCU 903, with an output from the PA 919 coupled to the duplexer 921 orcirculator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA 919 alsocouples to a battery interface and power control unit 920.

In use, a user of mobile station 901 speaks into the microphone 911 andhis or her voice along with any detected background noise is convertedinto an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted into adigital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 923. Thecontrol unit 903 routes the digital signal into the DSP 905 forprocessing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding,encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voicesignals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellulartransmission protocol such as global evolution (EDGE), general packetradio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM),Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobiletelecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitablewireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution(LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wireless fidelity(WiFi), satellite, and the like.

The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 925 for compensationof any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmissionthough the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizingthe bit stream, the modulator 927 combines the signal with a RF signalgenerated in the RF interface 929. The modulator 927 generates a sinewave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare thesignal for transmission, an up-converter 931 combines the sine waveoutput from the modulator 927 with another sine wave generated by asynthesizer 933 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. Thesignal is then sent through a PA 919 to increase the signal to anappropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA 919 acts as avariable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 905 frominformation received from a network base station. The signal is thenfiltered within the duplexer 921 and optionally sent to an antennacoupler 935 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer.Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 917 to a local basestation. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control thegain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwardedfrom there to a remote telephone which may be another cellulartelephone, other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

Voice signals transmitted to the mobile station 901 are received viaantenna 917 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA)937. A down-converter 939 lowers the carrier frequency while thedemodulator 941 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream.The signal then goes through the equalizer 925 and is processed by theDSP 905. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 943 converts the signal andthe resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 945,all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 903-which can beimplemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).

The MCU 903 receives various signals including input signals from thekeyboard 947. The keyboard 947 and/or the MCU 903 in combination withother user input components (e.g., the microphone 911) comprise a userinterface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU 903 runs a userinterface software to facilitate user control of at least some functionsof the mobile station 901 according to, for example, an multi-touch userinterface. The MCU 903 also delivers a display command and a switchcommand to the display 907 and to the speech output switchingcontroller, respectively. Further, the MCU 903 exchanges informationwith the DSP 905 and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card 949and a memory 951. In addition, the MCU 903 executes various controlfunctions required of the station. The DSP 905 may, depending upon theimplementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digitalprocessing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP 905determines the background noise level of the local environment from thesignals detected by microphone 911 and sets the gain of microphone 911to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the userof the mobile station 901.

The CODEC 913 includes the ADC 923 and DAC 943. The memory 951 storesvarious data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storingother data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet.The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers,or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. Thememory device 951 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD,ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, or any other non-volatile storagemedium capable of storing digital data.

An optionally incorporated SIM card 949 carries, for instance, importantinformation, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplyingservice, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card949 serves to identify the mobile station 901 on a radio network. Thecard 949 also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone numberregistry, text messages, and user specific mobile station settings.

While the invention has been described in connection with a number ofembodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited butcovers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, whichfall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of theinvention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it iscontemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination andorder.

1. A method comprising: receiving a request for information regardingone or more applications installed on a user equipment in a category ofapplications, wherein the request includes a respective uniqueidentifier for the one or more applications; and initiating transmissionof the information including an icon corresponding to the one or moreapplications compiled using the respective unique identifier for the oneor more applications.
 2. A method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving a request from the user equipment for unique identifiers forall known applications in the category of applications; and initiatingtransmission of the unique identifiers for all known applications in thecategory of applications to the user equipment.
 3. A method of claim 1,wherein the receiving of the request for information includes receivingunique identifiers for all applications installed on the user equipmentand an indication of the category of applications, and compiling theinformation by determining which of the unique identifiers for allinstalled applications correspond to the indicated category ofapplications.
 4. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and atleast one memory including computer program code, the at least onememory and the computer program code configured to, with the at leastone processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:receive a request for information regarding one or more applicationsinstalled on a user equipment in a category of applications, wherein therequest includes a respective unique identifier for the one or moreapplications; and initiate transmission of the information including anicon corresponding to the one or more applications compiled using therespective unique identifier for the one or more applications.
 5. Anapparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:receive a request from the user equipment for unique identifiers for allknown applications in the category of applications; and initiatetransmission of the unique identifiers for all known applications in thecategory of applications to the user equipment.
 6. An apparatus of claim4, wherein the receiving of the request for information includesreceiving unique identifiers for all applications installed on the userequipment and an indication of the category of applications, andcompiling the information by determining which of the unique identifiersfor all installed applications correspond to the indicated category ofapplications.
 7. A method comprising: initiating transmission of arequest for information regarding one or more applications installed ona user equipment in a category of applications, wherein the requestincludes a respective unique identifier for the one or moreapplications; and receiving the information including an iconcorresponding to the one or more applications compiled using therespective unique identifier for the one or more applications.
 8. Amethod of claim 7, further comprising: initiating transmission of arequest for unique identifiers for all known applications in thecategory of applications; receiving the unique identifiers for all knownapplications in the category of applications; and comparing the uniqueidentifiers for all known applications in the category of applicationswith unique identifiers of all applications installed on the userequipment to determine the category of the one or more applications. 9.A method of claim 7, wherein the initiating of the transmission of therequest for information includes initiating transmission of uniqueidentifiers for all applications installed on the user equipment and anindication of the category of applications; and the method furthercomprising: receiving information comprising unique identifiers for allinstalled applications corresponding to the indicated category ofapplications.
 10. A method of claim 7, further comprising: presentingthe information including the icon in a user interface on the userequipment to allow a user to access the respective application.
 11. Amethod of claim 7, further comprising: presenting the informationincluding the icon in a user interface on the user equipment to allow auser to access an update for the respective application.
 12. Anapparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memoryincluding computer program code, the at least one memory and thecomputer program code configured to, with the at least one processor,cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: initiatetransmission of a request for information regarding one or moreapplications installed on a user equipment in a category ofapplications, wherein the request includes a respective uniqueidentifier for the one or more applications; and receive the informationincluding an icon corresponding to the one or more applications compiledusing the respective unique identifier for the one or more applications.13. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is further causedto: initiate transmission of a request from the user equipment forunique identifiers for all known applications in the category ofapplications; receive the unique identifiers for all known applicationsin the category of applications to the user equipment; and compare theunique identifiers for all known applications in the category ofapplications with unique identifiers of all applications installed onthe user equipment to determine the category of the one or moreapplications.
 14. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus isfurther caused to: include, in the request for information, uniqueidentifiers for all applications installed on the user equipment and anindication of the category of applications, receive informationcomprising unique identifiers for all installed applicationscorresponding to the indicated category of applications.
 15. Anapparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:present the information including the icon in a user interface on theuser equipment to allow a user to access the respective application. 16.An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:present the information including the icon in a user interface on theuser equipment to allow a user to access an update for the respectiveapplication.
 17. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is theuser equipment.
 18. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is apersonal computer, and wherein the user equipment is a mobile device.